• Grew powerful on what then was considered the developed world
• Had more freedom compared to central states
• Did not have wealthy, entrenched nobility to contend with
  • Because of this, it was quicker to centralize power than rivals
• Buildup of Qin power began in 361 BCE with arrival of Lord Shang
• King Zheng was the most responsible for Qin’s monumental task:
  • Mobilizing growing economic resources to conquer and pacify the Warring States
• Two major contenders to succeed the Qin were Xiang Yu and Liu Bang